MIDLOTHIAN, VA - The best of the best from ECNL Virginia took the field at River City Sportsplex Saturday night for the final boys Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game of the 2024-25 season.
The game was tightly contested throughout with both sides putting together strong defensive efforts to keep the game scoreless through the first 80 minutes.
In the 81st minute though, Cesar Ramirez (Charlotte SA) found himself with space at the top of the box and fired home a shot to give the West the first goal of the night and put them up 1-0.
“I am confident in what I am doing. I am confident in scoring goals. I’ve been doing that all season so I told myself I have to do it again,” Ramirez said.
Just minutes later the West found their second goal of the night to seal the victory. Sean Chamberlain (Marin FC) played a ball into the box to Micah Eldridge (FC Pride Elite) who slotted it home to give the West the 2-0 win.
The West’s strong defensive performance that ultimately resulted in a clean sheet was anchored by goalkeepers Alvaro Reyes (El Camino FC Salinas) and Max Baker (Colorado Rapids).
With the game-winning goal, Ramirez was named the Player of the Match, saying he needed to show everyone he could step up in the big moment.
“I have to step up in this big game and show who I am to all of these coaches and everybody else watching.”
